New Romeo helicopter takes to the sky

THE first of Australia's new Romeo navy helicopters has successfully completed its first flight ahead of delivery later this year.

Defence Materiel Minister Mike Kelly said the aircraft passed a series of tests at the Sikorsky helicopter production facility in the United States.

Under a $3 billion deal, the navy will acquire 24 of the MH-60R (Romeo) versions of the Seahawk helicopter to replace older Seahawk helicopters and the cancelled Seasprites.

Dr Kelly said these would provide the navy with a significant capability to detect and attack submarine and surface vessels.

"The US Navy and its industry partners have worked hard to accelerate the Romeo acquisition program and this first flight occurred only two years after contract signature, some six months ahead of the original schedule approved by government in 2011," he said in a statement.

Dr Kelly said the first helicopter was being prepared for transfer to Lockheed Martin's facility in Owego, New York, where it will be fitted with mission systems and sensors.

Three other Australian Romeos are in various stages of assembly. The first two will be handed over to the navy in December.

Dr Kelly said the 24 aircraft would allow the Navy to have eight aboard the Anzac frigates and new Hobart-class air warfare destroyers with the rest based at HMAS Albatross in Nowra.

Commodore Vince Di Pietro, commander of the Fleet Air Arm, said this first flight was exciting news.

"The RAN will very shortly be flying the most capable anti-submarine and anti-surface helicopter in the world and it will be a quantum increase to our current helicopter force, both in numbers and capability," he said in a statement.